THE future of the flagging St Annes Square festive lights looks a little brighter with street performers coming to the rescue this weekend.

The St Annes Chamber of Trade has organised bands, dancers and Father Christmas himself to entertain shoppers visiting the Square on December 16 with further festive treats planned. It's hoped the attractions will help to brighten up the area, criticised recently by Fylde Mayor Paul Hayhurst for its poor festive display.

St Annes Chamber of Trade co-ordinator Arnold Sumner said it was important to be positive about the Square. He explained: "Because of the renovation work the lamp posts were not ready for the special decorations we intended to hang on them. It is unfortunate, but it is one of those things and we must remain positive about the future of the Square."

The Silver Bell New Orleans Jazz Band will kick off the festivities in the morning by marching around the Square. The Fylde Christian Service Church Choir will then put the true message of Christmas over to shoppers by singing carols at 11am, and Father Christmas will make a visit on his sleigh at midday along with the stars of Peter Pan. The afternoon will be rounded off with the Thistle Folk Group Band, who will get shoppers' feet tapping. Coun Paul Hayhurst switched on the display -- a solitary Christmas tree with white lights pictured here -- two weeks ago but was disappointed by the lack of festive displays. He said: "The Christmas lights were organised months ago and at the last minute we were let down. The whole switch-on was an embarrassment.

"It is very frustrating as a councillor when something like that happens. Somewhere along the line we have been let down. The whole point of having Christmas lights is to get shoppers in the festive mood. It takes away the whole purpose of the lights if they are not going to be put up before Christmas," he added.

Coun Hayhurst is now demanding some answers about to why the lamp posts and lights were not ready on time. He will be putting his complaint to the Tourism and Leisure Committee, who will meet after Christmas.